Stay full, energized, and beat nausea with these High-Protein Snacks For Pregnancy! These healthy pregnancy snacks are real-food based, loaded with nutrients, and will help nourish both mom and babe. Plus, you'll actually enjoy eating them!
“Such great ideas! I'm in my 2nd trimester and feel like I'm hungry ALL THE TIME!! I appreciate having some healthy options. I especially loved the salted caramel smoothie. Delicious!” - Fern
Staying active and healthy while pregnant can feel like a balancing act. One minute you're starving, the next nothing sounds appealing, which can make getting enough protein a challenge.
While balanced meals are important (and this gluten-free lemon chicken is still one of my favorites), sometimes the thought of eating more chicken alone made me gag. So, during my pregnancies, I always kept high-protein snacks nearby because they were an easy way to stay fueled without having to cook every few hours.
Whether you're looking for healthy pregnancy snacks to curb constant hunger or healthy pregnancy smoothies when solid food isn't appealing, these ideas can help you sneak in extra protein while nourishing both you and your growing baby. And if you're navigating food sensitivities after delivery, you may also find my guide to a dairy-free breastfeeding diet helpful.
Jump To
Protein and Pregnancy
These high-protein pregnancy snacks are for moms who are hungry all the time, struggling to hit their protein goals, dealing with nausea, or simply need easy options they can grab between meals.
Just like when you're not pregnant, protein is crucial for growth. However, this macronutrient becomes even more important during pregnancy because it helps:
- Your baby grow and develop
- Build the immune system
- Repair and build tissues
- Regulate hormones and make enzymes
The best news? Protein can help keep you fuller for longer and may reduce the frequency of nausea during pregnancy.
While carbs are often the go-to craving, working in high-protein pregnancy snacks throughout the day can make a big difference. And no, that doesn't mean eating chicken at every meal; sometimes, a peanut butter protein chia pudding or a few protein cookie recipes are all you need to bump up your intake.
Learn more about protein and pregnancy, and what it actually does.
Protein Boosting Pregnancy Snack Hack
Many healthy pregnancy snacks like overnight oats, energy bites, and dairy-free yogurt contain some protein, but they're often higher in healthy fats and carbohydrates than protein.
One of my favorite ways to boost the protein content of these snacks is by adding collagen powder. It's easy to mix into smoothies, oatmeal, yogurt, energy balls, and baked goods without changing the flavor much (check out these collagen powder recipes).
Collagen is the protein naturally found in connective tissues and bone broth (learn the difference between collagen and bone broth). While I still focus on getting protein from a variety of foods, collagen has been an easy way to increase my overall protein intake for years.
I use collagen powder from Perfect Supplements because it's sourced from pasture-raised, grass-fed cows and contains just one ingredient. It's an easy addition when you're trying to fit a little more protein into your day without adding another meal (code mamabear10 saves you some money)
Easy to mix, this collagen powder adds a protein punch to anything you pair it with. Made from pasture-raised (grass-fed) cows there are no pesticides, hormones, or filler agents. Just put collagen protein. Use code mamabear10 to save money on your next order.
What Makes A Good High-Protein Pregnancy Snack?
When building healthy pregnancy snacks, I focus on three things: protein, healthy fats, and nutrient-dense ingredients. Together, they help keep you fuller for longer while supporting your growing baby's needs.
You'll never avoid sugar completely (especially while pregnant!), but choosing snacks made with quality ingredients most of the time can make a big difference. And yes, I always keep a few healthy pregnancy desserts on hand, too because sometimes chocolate wins.
Healthy Pregnancy Snacks (but not protein-based)
Below are a few "throw-together" snacks that are great for pregnancy just not protein-packed. Still deliciously healthy and great to grab when you're in a pinch. These snacks can be thrown together easily.
- Veggies and hummus (green hummus is even better!)
- Fruit and nuts (we love almonds, walnuts, and Brazil nuts!)
- Trailmix (toss some nuts, dried fruit, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds, and coconut together)
- Healthy peanut butter cookies (yes, cookies are totally part of healthy eating!)
- Crackers, hummus, and avocado
- Fruit and nut butter (banana and almond butter was always my favorite)
- Grain free granola bars
- No bake homemade energy bars
High-Protein Pregnancy Snacks
Below are the high-protein pregnancy snacks you're going to fall in love with. They're easy to make (a lot of no-bake dairy-free snacks, gluten-free protein bar recipes or one-bowl whip-ups), dairy-free, gluten-free, and PERFECT for growing babies. Scroll through and find some new favorites to reply... until your next craving hits!
Meal Prep Grab and Go Pregnancy Snacks
When hunger strikes, convenience matters. These protein pregnancy snacks can be made ahead of time and are easy to grab when you need something quick and delicious.
High-Protein Pregnancy Snacks For Morning Sickness
When nausea hits, eating enough protein can feel impossible. These snacks are easy to sip, nibble, or enjoy cold, making them great options when food aversions are running the show.
High-Protein Sweet Snacks
Craving something sweet? These high-protein treats satisfy your sweet tooth while helping you sneak in a little extra protein throughout the day.
Pregnancy Snacks FAQs
A few easy ways of getting more protein in while pregnant are by using collagen powder or protein powder in your regular baked goods, smoothies, or oats. You can also enjoy Greek yogurt and flavor it any which way.
Smoothies and cool treats tend to help the most with morning wickness when the thought of eating is gag-worthy. Add some collagen or protein powder to the smoothies to make them more filling.
More Resources For A Healthy Pregnancy
Can You Use Intermittent Fasting While Pregnant?
This is the number one question I get asked by expecting moms! Though intermittent fasting isn't for everyone, the video below has some great pointers and answers a lot of questions.
Don’t forget to pin these healthy, high-protein pregnancy snacks!
xxx says
Great beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your site, how can i subscribe for a blog website? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear concept
xxx says
Hey very nice web site!! Man .. Excellent .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your blog and take the feeds also…I am happy to find a lot of useful info here in the post, we need develop more strategies in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
xxx says
Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog and I am impressed! Extremely useful info particularly the last part 🙂 I care for such information much. I was seeking this particular information for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.
xxx says
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I will certainly return.
xxx says
wonderful put up, very informative. I wonder why the opposite experts of this sector don't notice this. You must proceed your writing. I am confident, you have a huge readers' base already!
xxx says
I really like what you guys are up too. This sort of clever work and exposure! Keep up the good works guys I've incorporated you guys to blogroll.
Kehlani says
Now that I am in my 2nd trimester, I'm living for your website! I'm so thankful I found this coz it's very informative and really need it since I'm craving for sweets and really want healthy options for me and my baby.
fitasamamabear says
I'm so excited for you! Haha I craved sweets all my pregnancies too so I've used these first hand. if you have any questions feel free to ask!
Rachel says
These are great ideas - recommending to my daughter.
fitasamamabear says
Thanks for passing them along!
Vladka says
I love the ideas with Cookie Dough Protein Overnight Oats being my favorite!
Bri says
So happy I found this post. I'm pregnant with our third baby and I wish I had this with my other two.
fitasamamabear says
Awww mega congrats!!! Happy i can help!